Tag Archives: Alliance

“[T]here remains [in some parts of the country] a strong bias towards the old error, that without some sort of alliance or coalition between Govt. & Religion neither can be duly supported. Such indeed is the tendency to such a coalition, and such its corrupting influence on both parties, that the danger cannot be too carefully guarded against.” ― James Madison, James Madison: Writings

Madison’s words are as true today as when he originally penned them almost two centuries ago. Our nation’s founders separated government and religion to guard against this “corrupting influence on both parties.”

Today we are living with the results of not defending against this old error. Madison warned us to ever guard more closely against this unholy alliance. We should have heeded his words.

This is a clear and present danger. The majority of those voting in this election claiming to follow Jesus Christ cast their vote for a lying, racist, fear-mongering, bigot. They supported a xenophobic, bullying, braggart who is the antithesis of the love of Jesus Christ reflected in the gospels.

How and why this happened should ring alarms for leaders throughout the faith community. When this large a percentage of “believers” abandon the teachings of Jesus to vote for hate and fear, it is a statement that something is drastically and critically awry.

Personally, I see this as a failure of leadership, itself. There has been a significant lack of courage to address the deep divisive issues of our society from the pulpit. Christian leaders have not led by example, and have played it safe and “made nice” rather than confront un-Christian values in our congregations.

And so now, one cannot tell the believers from the nonbelievers without a program. We have met the enemy and they are us.

The day started well. I decided to get an early start, so I left JoAnna’s house about 8am, even though my US Airways flight to Charlotte and Akron was scheduled for 12:45.

I knew I needed to eat some breakfast. I also knew I wanted to try to buy a pair of gloves before I got to the airport. According to the weather report the temperature in Alliance, Ohio was expected to be between 10 and 15 degrees.

I ate a nice breakfast at the Shiny Diner then was at Dick’s Sporting Goods when the doors opened at 9am. I found a good pair of gloves and was parked at RDU by 10am. Check-in was a breeze, as was getting through security. With time to spare, I even spent a half hour in the 2nd Edition Bookstore.

After getting to my gate I again checked emails before I started rereading my notes for the Carr Lecture I am scheduled to present tomorrow evening at the University of Mount Union. I was thankful for how smoothly the trip was progressing.

We began boarding for the flight to Charlotte right on time. But after the first four first-class passengers had started down the jetway the captain announced a “slight delay.” Within 20 minutes we were informed the slight delay was caused by smoke in the plane’s cabin (never a good sign), and were told the flight was cancelled.

I called US Airways and was told I could fly the Philadelphia at 3:30. My flight from Philly to CAK (Canton-Akron) would not get me there until 9:30. But, even before I left Raleigh I received word that the flight from Philly to Ohio was delayed due to crew being late. Then, we boarded the plane in Raleigh and had barely pulled away from the gate when the captain announced that Philly had a ground stop. No planes we landing or leaving.

We set on the plane for an hour and 15 minutes before we we allowed to take off for and hour and 10 minute flight. Oh, and I received a second notice that my connecting flight to Ohio would be further delayed.

So now it’s 8:30 and I have just finished a bowl of soup in the Philly airport. My flight to Ohio is now scheduled to leave at 11:15. That means I should arrive in Akron about 12:30 tomorrow morning. Then, after I pick up my bag, I have a half hour ride to Alliance.